It’s been a rough year for many of us. Our country, as well
as many others across the globe, has been ravaged by fierce political and
social divides, unprecedented mass violence, and natural disasters from fires
to hurricanes with the unfortunate promise of more to come.
As the Holidays roll around, it may be challenging – if not
impossible - to feel the Holiday Spirit
of peace, good will toward all, and the joy of a year well lived.
And yet . . . we have available to us, always, the greatest
gift mankind has ever known - hope.
Hope is what keeps us keepin’ on. Hope is what motivates us
to rebuild shattered lives, to reconnect with what’s most important to us, to
dream, once again, of “peace on earth, good will toward all.”
Hope is not just an airy-fairy New Age platitude designed to
mask whatever misery you’re in. Hope is real, and is supported by the many ways
in which we humans stubbornly, persistently, work toward a better life for all,
even if at time it seems that idea is ludicrous.
For example, did you know that Google's parent
company, Alphabet, launched stratospheric “Project
Loon” balloons over Puerto Rico to deliver Internet service where such
service had been destroyed or severely impaired? The Internet is beamed from
the balloons in a way that extends wireless networks without having to install
fiber optic cable or cell towers. The project is still in its experimental
phases, yet Alphabet was willing to make it available to a community sorely in
need.
That’s hope made practical. Hope made real. And it’s
just one example out of many ways in which various companies, organizations,
and caring individuals brought hope to Puerto Rico, and other hurricane and
fire devastated communities.
You can’t change the past. What happened, happened,
whether in your personal life, or in our society’s life at large. What you can
do, is offer hope – to yourself, to others, to your community, in whatever
practical way you can think of.
Hope is real. Let it be that for you and yours this
Holiday Season.
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